The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) started its strict crackdown on dilapidated and smoke-belching public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying the streets of Metro Manila considered as non-roadworthy.

The I-ACT was formed to solve traffic and congestion in the metropolis and is composed of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

Today, it launched the 'Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok' program to support the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), which aims to provide proper, safe, clean and efficient transport for the Filipino people.

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos has ordered members of the I-ACT have started to flag down and cite drivers of decrepit and smoke-belching PUVs which continue to ply the metropolitan streets despite warnings to clean up their act. The PUVMP received full support last year when President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to smash all dilapidated jeepneys come January.

"We give them 24 hours upon the issuance of the violation ticket to surrender their PUVs for evaluation of its road worthiness before they are allowed to resume their operation," said Undersecretary Orbos, who is also concurrent MMDA General Manager.

Those PUVs issued with the violation tickets should surrender to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and undergo the motor vehicle inspection. The LTO has two refurbished and fully operating motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS) lanes its main office in East Avenue, Quezon City and two more MVIS lanes in LTO Pasay City.

MVIS are used in evaluating the road worthiness of PUVs currently undergoing registration process and/or those caught on road due to smoke belching or having broken wipers among other violations.

Strategically placed I-ACT personnel began flagged down and issued violation tickets to smoke-billowing and decrepit PUVs along Marcos Highway and Dona Carmen along Commonwealth, Quezon City. By midday, about 123 PUVs were cited for smoke belching, while 130 were flagged down and issued tickets for defective parts and accessories. Two drivers were also cited for not wearing the prescribed uniform.